A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Bacterial Degradation of Plastics: Emerging Themes and Future Directions

Plastic pollution poses a critical environmental challenge due to the durability and stability of plastic materials, necessitating urgent global attention for effective management strategies. This study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of publications related to bacterial plastic degradation from 1977 to 2024 using data collected from Scopus. It was analyzed through Rstudio and VOSviewer to understand research trends and identify emerging themes. The analysis revealed a steady annual growth rate of 6.21% in research output, with significant contributions from India (94 publications) and China (88 publications), particularly evident in the exponential growth observed from 2015 onwards. Examining citation networks and keyword co-occurrence identified key research themes, including marine ecosystem impacts, degradation pathways, and microplastics, with particular emphasis on common pollutants such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The Journal of Hazardous Materials emerged as the most frequently cited journal, while publications by Restrepo-Flórez (2014) and Hadad (2005) received the highest individual citation counts of 481 and 447, respectively. The study underscores the growing academic focus on microbial and enzymatic processes for plastic degradation, highlighting the potential of bacterial degradation as a promising solution for plastic waste management. However, continued research and international collaboration are essential for developing more efficient biological processes and implementing effective strategies to combat plastic pollution and protect environmental health.